You have heard it said more than once over the last few weeks with the spread of the coronavirus and the COVID-19 that we are in uncharted territory.

Now that we have all received the extended order to “Shelter in Place” till May, we need to find a new normal inside our homes. I have spoken to so many people (schoolteachers to business people to students) who have been using Zoom teleconferencing and are completely exhausted after back-to-back meetings all day. Old boundaries between work and home, personal and professional have all disappeared and we are scrambling to figure out how to get to a new routine with some new clear boundaries, myself included! I am exhausted from all my own zoom meetings.

Furthermore, this is Holy Week and it does not feel like it. But we need Holy Week more than ever. We need community more than ever and we cannot gather. So, what are we to do?

I suggest that we try to “attend” Mass live at Church not only on Sunday but during the Holy Week celebrations mentioned throughout this bulletin. We have worked hard to bring the Holy Week to you at your home. Please come and join us. Please tune in to the livestream and dress up at home. Don’t have breakfast while you “watch livestream” but “attend Mass livestream.” When I say “The Lord be with you.” You reply at home with all the family gathered around the television, “And also with your spirit.” Sing along to the songs and join us in all the movements and responses. In other words, you “attend Mass at home” and truly experience the Spiritual Communion.

I invite you to join us on Tuesday night at 7pm for the virtual reconciliation service where we will teach you about “perfect contrition” and you can be prepared for Holy Week. Many people have never heard of “perfect contrition” but it is an important teaching of our Church. Perfect contrition is for people who cannot get to confession because of a serious reason like the coronavirus lockdown. Pope Francis reminds us that people can go to God directly, be specific about their sins, request pardon and experience God’s loving forgiveness.

The pope said, “Do what the Catechism (of the Catholic Church) says. It is very clear: If you cannot find a priest to confess to, speak directly with God, your father, and tell him the truth. Say, ‘Lord, I did this, this, this. Forgive me,’ and ask for pardon with all your heart. Make an act of contrition, the pope said, and promise God, “‘I will go to confession afterward, but forgive me now.’ And immediately you will return to a state of grace with God.”

Then join us for my reflection on the “Agony in the Garden” on Wednesday at 7pm and see how God made this week Holy with the way Jesus accepted the way of the cross. Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper begins at 7pm and Good Friday at 12 noon. We will pray the Stations of the Cross at 2pm. Finally join us for the Easter Vigil at 8:30pm or Easter Mass at 9:30am. More details are in this bulletin about each of these services.

Let’s make this week Holy by our participation albeit remotely. We can experience community and I very much look forward to seeing you in person soon. I miss you all dearly.